Alex Scott: Does her Disney+ exit highlight challenges in women's football coverage?
BBC Sport
On Thursday, Alex Scott stepped away from her role presenting Disney+'s coverage of the Women's Champions League after two rounds. The streaming service, in its second season of a five-year deal, has faced technical issues and criticism for its debut, including an unscheduled advert break during Arsenal's match.
Quitting Disney+
Scott, a former England international, expressed gratitude for the opportunities at Disney+ but did not specify her reasons for leaving. She expressed hope for future collaboration.
Challenges in Women's Football Broadcasting
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Target Audience Uncertainty: Broadcasters, like Disney+, are experimenting with formats, styles, and tones to attract new audiences to women's football. However, they struggle to identify and cater to specific viewer interests.
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Resource Constraints: Carrie Dunn, a sports journalist, attributes much of the criticism to resource allocation. Presenters and pundits are often expected to appeal to a broad audience, which can lead to inconsistent coverage.
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Lack of Fresh Perspectives: Dunn suggests that the limited pool of presenters and pundits may result in stale content, especially as budgets are cut.
In recent years, Sky Sports and the BBC have been at the forefront of promoting women's football. Disney's entry into the market further fueled interest. However, the recent events highlight the ongoing challenges in providing compelling and consistent coverage.
The BBC, for instance, decided not to renew its WSL highlights show for the 2026-27 season but committed to women's football through YouTube channels, debate shows, and online content.